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Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Declaration, which seeks to revolutionize Africa’s agri-food systems by 2035. Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung made this commitment when he delivered a special statement at the African Union Extra-Ordinary Summit on Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programmes (CAADP) in Kampala, Uganda
“The CAADP Declaration provides a bold and strategic framework for sustainable agricultural transformation across Africa. Liberia is proud to stand behind this vision as we work towards enhancing food security, increasing agricultural productivity, and fostering rural development,” Vice President Koung stated.
The CAADP Declaration, adopted by African Union (AU) member states, outlines ambitious goals to promote agricultural investments, strengthen value chains, and address the continent’s food insecurity challenges. It calls for increased public and private investments in agriculture, aiming for a 6% annual growth in agricultural productivity and a minimum of 10% of public expenditures allocated to the sector.
Vice President Koung emphasized Liberia’s ongoing efforts to align its national agricultural strategies with the CAADP principles. “Our government is prioritizing investments in smallholder farming, value chain development, and climate-resilient agricultural practices. These steps are critical to transforming Liberia’s agricultural sector and boosting its contribution to economic growth,” he added.
Agriculture remains a cornerstone of Liberia’s economy, employing over 70% of the population. The Vice President highlighted the sector’s potential to drive income generation, reduce poverty, and enhance resilience against climate change impacts.
He also praised the role of regional and international partnerships in supporting Liberia’s agricultural ambitions. “Through collaboration with stakeholders, including the AU, ECOWAS, development partners, and local communities, Liberia is building a future where agriculture becomes a sustainable driver of progress,” Koung remarked.
The Vice President’s endorsement of the CAADP Declaration underscores Liberia’s commitment to fulfilling the AU’s Agenda 2063 goals and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those addressing hunger and poverty eradication.
Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung reiterated Liberia’s commitment to agricultural transformation as central to the nation’s development strategy. Speaking at the continental agricultural summit, he outlined Liberia’s robust initiatives under the ARREST Agenda—focused on Agriculture, Roads, Rule of Law, Education, Sanitation, and Tourism—where agriculture is the cornerstone of national priorities.
Highlighting recent progress, the Vice President noted that President Joseph Boakai last year launched Liberia’s National Agriculture Development Plan (NADP 2024–2030). The ambitious plan aims to boost food security, create jobs, and combat poverty while fostering sustainable agricultural growth.
“We also recognize the critical link between agriculture and nutrition,” Vice President Koung remarked. “My office oversees the national Scaling-Up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat, which is committed to fighting malnutrition and stunting. To this end, we have introduced a Multi-Sectoral Action Plan on Nutrition to align national and international efforts in this vital area.”
Liberia’s alignment with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) is central to these efforts. Vice President Koung emphasized that the CAADP framework offers a strategic platform for strengthening Liberia’s agricultural initiatives, including enhancing food security, empowering smallholder farmers, and fostering rural development.
“We welcome and support the ten-year CAADP Strategy and Action Plan and pledge our full commitment to the Draft Kampala CAADP Declaration. Liberia is ready to play its part in addressing the challenges of food insecurity and transforming agriculture into a driver of growth,” he stated.
The Vice President called on all stakeholders to translate commitments into action. “The decisions we make today are crucial. We must move from discussions to action. Let us invest in sustainable agriculture, empower our farmers, and ensure that no child goes to bed hungry,” he urged.
Liberia’s proactive steps under the NADP and its commitment to the CAADP framework underscore the country’s dedication to leveraging agriculture as a vehicle for national and regional development. By aligning policies and fostering collaboration, Liberia aims to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s vision of a resilient and food-secure continent by 2035.
